It was close to four o’clock on the 21st of December. I had just returned from eighth grade at Coral Springs Middle School. I hurried up the stairs and into my bedroom. I closed my door and quickly got into the gray colored bag I had carried home. In it was the gift I had for my stepbrother, Brian Nichols. His dad married my mom last year in a huge ceremony.


I sat down at my desk and pulled out of my bag Brian’s gift. It was a gorgeous blue colored bomber jacket. I smiled as I gazed at it. I knew he’d love it. I also pulled out a silver colored Rolex watch. It was also for Brian.


My name is Jessica Davidson. I am fourteen and in ninth grade at the Middle School. I had gone shopping with my best friend, Megan Reynolds right after school with her brother, Zack and picked up Brian’s gifts. Our friendship is still pretty brand new this year but we got close pretty fast. You see, Megan has been the target of bullies since the day she started school here because of my former friends, Shauna Daniels and her best friend, Chelsea Reardon.


Using the wrapping paper from my closet and the transparent tape from my desk, I managed to wrap both gifts in record time. I was very excited for Brian to open them. Our family opens our gifts on Christmas Eve, which was still four days away. I had a small size Christmas Tree set up in the corner of my bedroom right next to my closet so I set both gifts underneath it. Beside it was two more which were already wrapped. Both of those were for Megan. My parents’ gifts were under the big tree in the family room down stairs.


Brian is sixteen and very interested in sports as well as girls. I know. That sounds funny, yet normal for a teenage boy. He also recently told his dad, Josh he wants to join the police academy out of high school and become a cop when he graduates high school. I was overwhelmed to say the least, considering its exactly what my own dad did.


I shook myself from my thoughts as soon as I heard the front door close shut. It was either Brian or Josh who was home. Mom usually is working late at the local Bistro serving meals. She does this a lot since it’s the one job she has always loved. She went to a fancy cooking academy right before my dad died. She decided she wanted to do more than just be a stay-at-home mom. I think she is awesome for doing it, honestly. She is following her dreams and I love her for it!


I was tapping away at my desktop computer when a soft knock could be heard on my door. I smiled and said, “Come in, Josh.” I turned as I saw him walk in chuckling. “What’s up?


“Your mom is working late tonight so I thought we could order out for dinner.” He said. He saw me laugh and knew what I was thinking. “I know. I can’t even cook water without burning it.”


“So what should we order?” I asked. “Chinese or Mexican?” I purposely didn’t suggest either pizza or burgers. I get them through the week in school and I was sick of them for the time being.


“Chinese food should be here in half an hour. I know its your favorite.” He said. He shot me a loving smile, so I knew something was up. Sensing how guarded I seemed, he pulled a folded up paper from his back pocket. It was an adoption paper. “I hope you’re okay with this. I wanted to surprise you.”


Tears of joy filled my eyes. “Oh my Gosh! You want to adopt me?!” This was such a shocker! I secretly have wanted this from the day they got married and Brian knew it. This will make him my brother instead of stepbrother. Something dawned on me, which forced me to look into his eyes and ask, “What has Brian said about this?”


Josh laughed and said, “Who do you think got me the paperwork so quickly? I wanted to do this in time for Christmas.” He then reached out and we hugged tightly. “I do hope you’ll feel comfortable calling me Dad.”


“Of course I do!” I said as tears spilled down my cheeks. “You have been great to me and Mom. Brian has, too. We love you both!” “Merry Christmas, Daddy.”


He smiled and hugged me tighter as he answered with, “Merry Christmas, Sweetheart.”


We met Brian down stairs. He had come inside with Dad. We sat around the livingroom munching on our food as soon as it arrived and we filled our plates. It was a nice relaxing evening filled with fun and memories.